Page 82 - SAMENA Trends - May 2025

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

Qatar

Numerous investments are carried out across various level of future of businesses, alongside other tech and industry leaders
technology innovation, with partnerships fueling significant growth with startups, entrepreneurs, and investors. Abdallah said, “If you
in these areas and revitalising the country’s economy. Speaking to even think forward technologies around quantum computing,
The Peninsula, Partner and Advisor at KPMG Qatar, Ahmed Ben these are on the horizon and you see many hyperscalers, tech
Abdallah said “Qatar is rapidly advancing in AI, cloud computing giants, and leaders already delivering their cloud and quantum
and across other emerging technologies.” He mentioned that computing solutions.” He noted these emerging technologies will
Qatar is positioning itself as a regional and dynamic leader in be solving challenges once thought were impossible around by
digital transformation. “That is an area, which is a testimony of adding “Technology alone is not enough and the real impact comes
the role of Qatar at the global level when it comes to innovation from how organisations apply it." The official stressed that KPMG
and technology”, he said. Abdallah explained, “There are strategic in Qatar “witness, observe and help” clients to deliver successful
investments at many levels that are happening when it comes to technology programs and the most successful companies we
technology innovation in Qatar and partnerships that are driving see do not just adopt AI. He said that they don’t merely explore
real growth in these fields, supporting the transition of Qatar digital solutions, but integrate them into every aspect of their
towards a knowledge-based economy.” Abdallah was a key speaker business and those that harness that power of technology with
during the Web Summit Qatar 2025 held in February, exploring proposed agility and vision are setting new bedrocks for success
innovation and the role of emerging technologies in shaping the in industries. (April 11, 2025) www.thepeninsulaqatar.com

Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia has been selected as a member of the International space and innovation ecosystem, the National Regulatory
Telecommunication Union (ITU) Digital Regulation Network Committee, and telecommunications and technology service
Board, with Eng. Omar Alrejraje, Deputy Governor for Regulation providers. This initiative was designed to achieve excellence
and Competition at the Communications, Space, and Technology and regulatory maturity in response to rapid changes, while
Commission (CST), representing the Kingdom. This appointment enhancing decision-making. Over 40 participants from 14 different
underscores Saudi Arabia’s growing international leadership and organizations attended the four-day training program. Throughout
the global confidence in its regulatory capabilities. This selection the sessions, participants learned about public policy concepts
follows Saudi Arabia’s impressive ranking as the second-best and how to systematically analyze complex challenges. The
G20 country and fourth globally in digital regulatory readiness. program emphasized developing participants' skills in public policy
Additionally, the Kingdom has achieved a G5 leadership level analysis and understanding its complex dynamics, while providing
in digital regulatory maturity, according to the ITU. The Digital practical frameworks and tools for designing and drafting policies
Regulation Network includes 13 entities representing regulatory using a collaborative approach that promotes alignment among
bodies from around the world, working to address key challenges, stakeholders and addresses long-term challenges through an
share experiences, offer recommendations, and launch initiatives integrated perspective across various disciplines. This program is
aimed at accelerating digital transformation, enhancing an advanced extension of the public policy training program held
international cooperation in the digital economy, and fostering an in 2024, representing one of several initiatives by the DRA aimed
innovative environment for investment. Saudi Arabia has been a at developing human capital and building capabilities in public
long-standing member of the ITU Council, contributing actively policy and digital regulations to support the Saudi Vision 2030
to ITU initiatives and objectives for nearly six decades. The objectives and contribute to creating a thriving digital economy
Kingdom remains committed to strengthening both regional and with innovative regulatory approaches. (April 29, 2025) new.cst.gov.sa
international collaboration in the communications sector.
(May 2, 2025) www.meatechwatch.com The Communications, Space and Technology Commission (CST)
leads a high-level roundtable on global Dialogue for Satellite
The Digital Regulatory Academy (DRA) held a training program Industry Synergy on the sidelines of the 40th Space Symposium,
titled “Understanding Public Policies” in collaboration with held in Colorado Springs, USA, from 7-10 of April 2025, attended
international public policy experts. The program aimed to by senior executives, experts and decision-makers from prominent
strengthen the capabilities of professionals specializing in public global companies in the communications and Space sector
policy, regulatory law, and economics from the digital economy, (SpaceX, Project Kuiper, Iridium, EchoStar, Lockheed Martin,

82 MAY 2025